Heavyweight tees are not a passing trend for decorators anymore. Buyers want shirts that feel substantial, hold shape, and look like retail. The real question is which heavyweight to stock. Here is a straight comparison of our two best: the 1301 Roughneck and the 1601 Ironside.
Demand is moving to heavier blanks
Fabric weight by style
Approximate weight per shirt. Heavier means a denser, more structured feel.
Most fashion tees sit around 4 to 4.5 oz. Heavyweight starts near 6 oz.
Heavyweight tees have become one of the fastest-growing categories in decorated apparel. Streetwear brands, merch lines and retail-style drops all want a shirt that feels substantial in the hand. You can see it in our own lineup: the 1301 Roughneck is one of our top sellers, and the 1601 Ironside keeps gaining ground.
1301 vs 1601 at a glance
| 1301 Roughneck | 1601 Ironside | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | About 6.1 oz | About 7 oz (240 gsm) |
| Yarn / finish | Open-end, rugged texture | Garment dyed |
| Fit | Classic, old-school | Intentionally boxy |
| Shrink | Preshrunk | Zero shrinkage |
| Colors | 7 core colors | Black pigment, black reactive, custom colors from 300 pcs |
| Sizes | S to 4XL | S to 3XL |
| Best for | Workwear, heritage, motocross, volume orders | Streetwear, premium drops, boxy retail look |
Which one should you stock?
Pick the 1301 if
- You print volume orders and need consistent color and sizing.
- Your customers want a classic fit that still feels tough.
- You need sizes up to 4XL.
Pick the 1601 if
- You sell streetwear or limited drops where the boxy cut is the point.
- You want a garment-dyed, broken-in look straight out of the box.
- You want your own custom color without a huge minimum.
Smart move: Stock both. Use the 1301 as your everyday heavyweight and the 1601 as your premium tier at a higher retail price.
The Roughneck T-Shirt 1301
About 6.1 oz open-end cotton, classic fit, double-needle hems. Prints clean with screen, DTG, DTF and embroidery.
Shop now
Ironside The Heavy One 1601
About 7 oz, garment dyed, boxy fit, zero shrinkage. Custom colors available from 300 pieces.
Shop nowAdd a heavyweight to your lineup
Both styles ship as blanks, ready for your print.
Shop Ironside 1601
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